Extract from 'The Name of the Wind', written by Patrick Rothfuss.
“You see, there’s a fundamental connection between seeming
and being. We don’t understand how dangerous a mask can be. We all become what
we pretend to be.” Chronicler relaxed a bit, sensing familiar ground. “That’s
basic psychology. You dress a beggar in fine clothes, people treat him like a
noble, and he lives up to their expectations.” “That’s only the smallest piece
of it,” Bast said. “The truth is deeper than that. It’s…” Bast floundered for a
moment. “It’s like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own
head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build
ourselves out of that story.” Frowning, Chronicler opened his mouth, but Bast
held up a hand to stop him. “No, listen. I’ve got it now. You meet a girl: shy,
unassuming. If you tell her she’s beautiful, she’ll think you’re sweet, but she
won’t believe you. She knows that beauty lies in your beholding.” Bast gave a
grudging shrug. “And sometimes that’s enough.”
His eyes brightened. “But there’s a better way. You show her
she is beautiful. You make mirrors of your eyes, prayers of your hands against
her body. It is hard, very hard, but when she truly believes you…” Bast
gestured excitedly. “Suddenly the story she tells herself in her own head
changes. She transforms. She isn’t seen as beautiful. She is beautiful, seen.”
You become what you tell yourself you are.
I can remember believing in myself, KNOWING that I am more intelligent than most people, knowing that I am special, that I am unique, that have a path that is mine and mine alone. I did not compare myself to others, the thought did not even cross my mind. How can you compare two people? Each and every one is unique and special.
Years disappeared without any insight or growth on my side, because I started to compare, to compete, to judge myself and find myself wanting. I started belittling myself, ignoring my strengths, focusing on my weak points, comparing them against the strengths of others, and finding more and more to worry about. Until I believed my new story.
Suddenly I find myself with the insight to understand this, to realize that I have been living a lie, that I am better than this. Unfortunately it is still just in my head, not written in my cells, and I am looking around desperately for a way to believe like a child again. To have that unwavering confidence again. Because I am worthy.
You become what you tell yourself you are.
I can remember believing in myself, KNOWING that I am more intelligent than most people, knowing that I am special, that I am unique, that have a path that is mine and mine alone. I did not compare myself to others, the thought did not even cross my mind. How can you compare two people? Each and every one is unique and special.
Years disappeared without any insight or growth on my side, because I started to compare, to compete, to judge myself and find myself wanting. I started belittling myself, ignoring my strengths, focusing on my weak points, comparing them against the strengths of others, and finding more and more to worry about. Until I believed my new story.
Suddenly I find myself with the insight to understand this, to realize that I have been living a lie, that I am better than this. Unfortunately it is still just in my head, not written in my cells, and I am looking around desperately for a way to believe like a child again. To have that unwavering confidence again. Because I am worthy.
